[An Nahar] Sudan's veteran Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi, linked to al-Qaeda leader the late Osama bin Laden... who abandoned all hope when he entered there... in the 1990s, hopes U.S. President Barack ObamaRepublicans can come along for the ride, but they've got to sit in the back... will win a second term on Tuesday.

"Obama of course," Turabi told Agence La Belle France Presse when asked about his U.S. presidential preference during an interview.

"He's gentle towards the Mohammedans generally," Turabi said, and referred to Obama's childhood spent in Mohammedan-majority Indonesia, and his Kenyan father who was raised a Mohammedan.

Obama uses the word "terrorism" far less than his predecessor George W. Bush, and his name is a variant of the Arabic word "Baraka", Turabi said.

"You know what 'Baraka' means in Arabic? Blessing."

Obama, a Christian, was elected the first African American U.S. president in 2008 and is in a tight race against Republican rival Willard Mitt Romney...former governor of Massachussetts, currently the Publican nominee for president. He is the son of the former governor of Michigan, George Romney, who himself ran for president after saving American Motors from failure, though not permanently. Romney has a record as a successful businessman, heading Bain Capital, and he rescued the 2002 Winter Olympics from the midst of bribery and mismanagement scandals. More to the point, he isn't President B.O...
Turabi has been a force in Sudanese politics for six decades, and was a key figure behind the 1989 coup which brought the Islamist regime of President Omar al-BashirHead of the National Congress Party. He came to power in 1989 when he, as a brigadier in the Sudanese army, led a group of officers in a bloodless military coup that ousted the government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi and eventually appointed himself president-for-life. He has fallen out with his Islamic mentor, Hasan al-Turabi, tried to impose shariah on the Christian and animist south, resulting in its secessesion, and attempted to Arabize Darfur by unleashing the barbaric Janjaweed on it. Sudan's potential prosperity has been pissed away in warfare that has left as many as 400,000 people dead and 2.5 million displaced. Omar has been indicted for genocide by the International Criminal Court but nothing is expected to come of it. to power.

Sudan then became a notorious refuge for turban Islamists, including bin Laden, leading to American sanctions which Obama renewed last week.

The most often noted difference between American elections among the visitors was that in most U.S. states, voters need no identification. Voters can also vote by mail, sometimes online, and there's often no way to know if one person has voted several times under different names, unlike in some Arab countries, where voters ink their fingers when casting their ballots.

The international visitors also noted that there's no police at U.S. polling stations. In foreign countries, police at polling places are viewed as signs of security; in the United States they are sometimes seen as intimidating.

#5
From a partisan commentary in the NYTimes today (edited):The reason for this is clear: making democracy efficient takes second place in the United States to the cherished notion of letting local officials run the election system. In this hyperdecentralized system, in the words of Richard Hasen, a voting expert at the University of California, Irvine, the process of voting is left in the hands of volunteers or poorly paid workers, many of whom lack adequate training or formal expertise.

Their supervisors are partisans, often making decisions about spending money on new machines or expanding the system on the basis of how it will affect their party.

In some parts of the US, a police presence is regarded as indicating the "rule of law" is in effect. In other parts, a police presence means "might makes right."

Otherwise known as the United States. The federal gummint is supposed to be limited; the Constitution gives the states responsibility for most things, and the feds are supposed to be restricted to the few things a central government can do best, such as foreign policy and regulating interstate commerce. (See "enumerated powers.")

A member of the New Black Panther Party who was charged with voter intimidation in the 2008 election for standing outside a Philadelphia polling site was back Tuesday morning -- in an official capacity.

Jerry Jackson, who was charged in the 2008 case along with Minister King Samir Shabazz, but later saw charges dropped by the Department of Justice, was seen early Tuesday outside a North Philadelphia voting site wearing the group's trademark black beret, combat-style uniform and heavy boots. Fox News confirmed he is a designated poll watcher.Fox & henhouse...
Unlike in the 2008 election, members of the organization labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center were not wielding billy clubs or forming clusters. In 2008, members of the New Black Panthers wore black paramilitary garb and stood in front of the doors leading to a polling place in Philadelphia. In that case, the Department of Justice later narrowed the charges against Minister King Shabazz and dismissed the charges against the party and Jackson.And how is this different than teabaggers at the poling (sic) places?

It differs in that I cannot even imagine anyone feeling intimidated by Tea Party people. Also, it is not clear that the NBPP is behaving any differently than they did 4 years ago, and against which injunctions were issued (though criminal charges were dropped - over the strong objections of career DoJ personnel, at least some of whom resigned in protest.) A better comparison would be 'how is this different from Kluckers in sheets standing 'security' in front of Alabama polls in 1960?'

#2
That's what the Donks passed Posse Commitatus for. Remove the federal troops from the Southern polling stations to make sure only the 'right' folks voted. Their modus operandi haven't changed much in over a hundred years.

#4
No, those UN Observers were for the 'alleged' Republican suppression of votes, not the actual Donk suppression of votes. That's why they're not deployed in machine owned and operated every state. One set of rules for me, a different set of rules for thee.

A group of retired Navy SEALs and other former special ops service members vowed to counter any attempt to intimidate voters by sending teams to sites in Philadelphia, Cleveland, Miami and Las Vegas. Former Navy Capt.

Benjamin Brink told Philadelphia radio station IQ 106.9 FM more than a hundred former SEALs, Army Rangers, Delta Force operatives and Green Berets volunteered for the job. But he said his men will not provoke confrontation, but rather "watch for intimidation, videotape it, if possible, and report it to the proper authorities.

#10
Benjamin Brink told Philadelphia radio station IQ 106.9 FM more than a hundred former SEALs, Army Rangers, Delta Force operatives and Green Berets volunteered for the job. But he said his men will not provoke confrontation, but rather "watch for intimidation, videotape it, if possible, and report it to the proper authorities." Posted by Sherry

#11
Proper authorities? It's been reported on local TV and radio, it's all over the internet. If the proper authorities haven't taken action yet, when will they? Do we have to wait until the election's over and Obama has four more years? Because after that you know from experience that Holder won't do jack squat about it.

#14
I have learned that one of those organizations who "help" people to vote has been caught shredding thousands of Republican votes in Philadlphia. That is another thing who has to go: no helpers. Make the things right so there are no lines soeven if your old and have bad health you have no excuse (in Europe we have no lines so youmust be able to do it). In the interim put the fraudsters in jail, and throw the key into the Mariana Trench.

#17
I think it was voter registration cards that were shredded. I saw something about it but can't remember where. Just went looking for it again and couldn't find it. But it does indeed sound like there is criminal activity in Philadelphia.

Best-selling Chicago-based author Brad Thor says he has been told that the Obama campaign is considering a move to demoralize Romney supporters early on Election Day.

Citing a "very solid source" in Chicago, Thor says the Obama campaign is looking to make it appear to voters that they have "this thing sewed up and are less than 24 hours to victory," according to his source.

Meanwhile, team Obama will also urge voters to get out and vote so they can say they were part of the important 2012 election that resulted in a second term for Obama.

While Thor can't reveal his source, he told TheBlaze multiple times that the source is very reliable.
The flip side of the coin, the author explained, is that the Obama campaign is counting on the mainstream media to drive home their narrative should they implement this strategy.

Does seem like the kind of thing President Revenge would consider? Does it seem like the kind of thing the mainstream media that remains in love with Obama would amplify? Yes, actually, it does.Go ahead fuckhead. No seriously. People don't trust you anymore and a stunt like this, if you win, will completely ruin any and I mean ANY chance of bipartisanship (not that you cared in the first place). My bet is that this will backfire and really send the Romney voters into overdrive while Obama voters will say, "Cool" and go back to their bongs.

#1
The same strategy very nearly worked in 2000. Media called it for Gore when the polls were still open in the FL panhandle, which trends Republican. Result was that Republicans stayed home and FL was much closer than it should have been.

And if anyone still has doubts about the kind of people we are up against, the entire FL recount had nothing to do with counting ballots. The Dems knew they had lost on election night (Gore even conceded, if you recall). The recount mess was intended to prevent FL from certifying its results in time to participate in the electoral college. Without the FL numbers Gore would have won.

President Barack Obama is planning an outdoor rally here on Monday, but one store within the event's security zone is taking a stand against Secret Service searches inside the shop.

A sign on the window of Raygun, a clothing store that sells quirky T-shirts, tells Secret Service agents who intend to "sweep" the premises before Obama's speech that it does "not consent" to any searches. The sign also added a little humor, too: "It's not that there's anything illegal in here, we just employ several Colombian prostitutes and don't want to tempt you guys," the sign reads, a reference to news reports earlier this year about some agents who had solicited prostitutes in South America.

The Obama campaign was not amused. A store clerk told Yahoo News that the sign went up Monday morning, and Obama staffers have asked for its removal. The store is refusing.

Update 6:45 PM: The sign was removed from the window before Obama's rally started Monday evening.

#7
Nothing to forgive Besoeker. I'm well aware of the fact that right thinking Massholes can caucus in the local Olive Garden without the need to make a reservation. We'd probably need 3 cars but that's about it.

If it wasn't for grand kids (and the grandma) I'd probably be out of here.

Whoever "wins" America is in for a rough time, obviously I'd prefer someone who has a proven record of turning around failed enterprises and cutting failure out of systems over a marxist community organiser, but the economy won't improve until the cultural damage of thinking you can vote yourself rich, or house-sit yourself rich ends.

#10
Demoralize Romney supporters? Ain't going to happen. These people are going to crawl over broken glass for a mile to vote--they are not easily demoralized. Some of these voters are WWII vets and they know what is at stake.

#11
Whatever the results todayvthe tea party should develop ballot measures fir every state for the 2014 elections that make it harder to cheat (voter ID for example) and very painful if caught (no voting again, ever, and maybe ten years in the pokey).

I also wouldnt mind deleting voter registration rolls and starting from scratch.

#12
just voted. I had to wait in line for the first time ever, and there was a longer line when I left. Is this important? No, because I live in Kansas where W got 88% of the vote. Huelscamp will win and represent our rural heritage. In the primary 19 RINO republicans were beaten by conservatives and the legislature will now reflect its citizenry. There will be no more Sebelius's as governor of this state.
Thanks to our SOS Kobach you must be a registered voter and have a photo ID to participate. You also have a choice of paper or touch screen so those uncomfortable with the touch screen can cast their ballot. Now, if we can just get rid of our liberal supreme court and change the method that they are appointed we will again have a federalist state.

#13
Voted before coming to work this morning (county just outside Richmond, Va.). Got in line at 8:05 (parking was unbelievable), walked out the exit at 9:05. The line went the length of the school hallway and doubled back on itself. There were 8 voting booths. Besides President, Congressman, and Senator, we were also voting on 2 state Constitutional amendments. Everybody polite and cheerful (though Id hate to be there at 6:45 tonight!).

#18
Voted at 0715 in Eagle River, Alaska. Mainly professional people and military voting in this precinct. People were pretty quiet and behaved. They know what the stakes are.

Interesting thing: The voter roll printouts are
a-K and L-Z. LZs are 2 to 1 in numbers over AKs.There must be a problem with the accuvote machine, so the PAPER ballots go into a big hopper. We fill in the selection by inking in an oval with lots of space around it. Simple. Paper trail. It can be done.

#23
Romney Charges Reporters for Election Night Party
Mitt Romney "appears to be setting a precedent this election year in charging journalists and news organizations for any access to a presidential campaign headquarters on the night of the election," Mass Live reports.

Romney "will be holding his election night gathering at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, where access costs anywhere from $75 for a chair in the ballroom to $1,020 for permission to use the media filing center. Broadcast news organizations will be paying up to $6,500 for workspace."

"Obama's campaign party will be held at McCormick Place, in Chicago, and although his campaign is charging for premiums, credentialed reporters are granted access, which includes a workstation, electrical power and a wireless Internet connection, at no cost."

#24
Obama couldn't care less about all your written and (a lot more important) unwritten laws as long as he has the executive power, EH2660. If he's reelected, kiss your constitution---in particular 22 amendment ---goodby.

Mitt Romney walked out of his campaign jet at Pittsburgh International Airport here Tuesday afternoon and was met by an unexpected sight: hundreds upon hundreds of supporters packed into the top and middle levels of a nearby parking garage, cheering the candidates arrival.

A visibly moved Romney, clad in a white shirt and slacks, stepped into the late afternoon sun and walked across the tarmac to a spot near a metal fence separating him from the supporters in the garage.

Press entourage in tow, he waved to the crowd for several moments, saying nothing.

Afterward, a reporter asked Romney how the moment made him feel.

Thats when you know youre gonna win, he said as he walked back across the tarmac and into an SUV that carried him off to his second stop of the day.

A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.

Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.

Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.